Wi-Fi HaLow

Related Terms

Wi-Fi HaLow (pronounced "HAY-low") is a marketing name used for products that utilize the IEEE 802.11ah wireless technology, which offers longer range and lower power connectivity than traditional WiFi-certified products.

The Wi-Fi Alliance introduced Wi-Fi HaLow in January 2016, and explained that Wi-Fi HaLow is particularly suited for the modern Internet of Things (IoT) world where WiFi devices have expanded to include a wide range of scenarios, many of which require lower power connectivity as well as longer range capabilities.

How Wi-Fi HaLow Differs from Previous Wi-Fi Standards

Wi-Fi HaLow is also the first Wi-Fi specification to operate in frequency bands below one gigahertz (900 MHz), and it has a range of nearly twice that of other Wi-Fi technologies. In addition to its extended range capabilities, Wi-Fi HaLow is also able to penetrate walls and other barriers considerably better than previous Wi-Fi standards.

Power-efficient use cases for Wi-Fi HaLow include devices designed for smart homes and smart cities, connected cars, digital health care markets, and industrial and retail environments.